Bag filling mechanism



Oct. 1, 1935. 1 w. M. INGRAM 2,

BAG FILLING MECHANISM Filed-Aug. 6, 1932 6 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR WHLTERM INGRfl/V ATTORNEYS Oct. 1, 1935. w. M. INGRAM 2,015,853

Q BAQ FILLING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 6, 1932v 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 l INVENTOR Oct. 1, 1935. w. M. INGRAM I BAG FILLING MEQHANISM Filed Aug. 6, 19552 GSheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR WHLTZR N INGRfl/V 4 fl/ M ATTORNEYS Oct. 1, 1935. w. M. INGRAM BAG FILLING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 6, 1932 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR WflLTiR M Ill/6R4 lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll I.

Oct. 1, 1935. w. M. INGRAM 2,015,853

BAG FILLING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 6, 1932 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR I WflLTER/V. l/VGRHN ORNEYS Oct; 1, 1935. w [NGRAM 2,015,853

BAG FILLING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 6, 1952 6 SheetsSheet 6 l n--IO INVENTOR BY 'g at AORNEYS Patented Oct. 1, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FILLING MECHANISM Application August 6, 1932, Serial No. 627,762

19 Claims.

The present invention relates to devices for filling receptacles and embodies, more specifically, an improved filling mechanism for use in connection with devices for filling suitable receptacles with tea, coffee and like substances. More particularly, the invention embodies an improved form of receptacle filling mechanism by means of which a substance is fed intoa filling device'at a predetermined rate, the filling device serving to direct quantities of a substance to suitably placed receptacles in such fashion that the substance is fed to the receptacles only when a receptacle is properly positioned for filling.

Accordingly, an object of the invention is to providean improved filling mechanism for receptacles, the mechanism being provided with means for supplying a substance in measured quantities to properly positioned receptacles.

A further object of the invention is to provide a filling mechanism wherein means is provided for feeding a substance at a predetermined rate to properly positioned receptacles, the rate of feed being regulated in such fashion that a predetermined quantity of substance is supplied to each receptacle.

spout in the event that a receptacle is not properly positioned thereunder.

A further object of the invention is to provide a receptacle support in combination with a filling mechanism whereby means is actuated by the support for controlling the flow of a substanceto the support from the filling mechanism. 7

Further objects, not specifically enumerated above, will be apparent as the invention is described in greater detail in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in front elevation showing a filling mechanism constructed in accordance with the present invention. I

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail plan view showing the device for actuating the filling mechanism.

Figure 3 is an enlarged view in section, showing a portion of the feed chamber and feed mechanism associated therewith, this View being taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 4, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a bottom view of the device shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an enlarged view of. the driving mechanism for the feeding device shown in Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a View in section, taken on line 6-45 of Figure 5, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 7 is a view in section, taken on line 'l--! of Figure 1, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 8 is a view in side elevation, showing the filler mechanism of Figure 1.

Figure 9 is a plan view of a scraper for the feeding mechanism which supplies a substance to the filler mechanism shown in Figures 1 and 8.

Figure 10 is a view in section, taken on line Ill-46 of Figure 9, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 11 is a detail plan view showing areceptacle supporting device and means thereon for controlling the filler mechanism shown in Figure 8.

Figure 12 is a detail view in side elevation showing the elements of the control mechanism of Figure 11.

With reference to the above described figures of the drawings, a rotatable receptacle supporting table is shown at 20, being actuated by a shaft 2| and provided with pairs of receptacle supporting arms 22 and 23, respectively. To receptacles which are supported upon this table, a substance, such as tea, coffee and like substances is supplied by means of a filling mechanism including a U filler spout 24, metering device 25, and hopper 26.

The substance is fed to hopper 26 by a feeding mechanism including a feed chamber 21, feeding device 28, and wiper mechanism 29. The feeding mechanism includes a cylindrical chamber 21 having an inturned lower peripheral lip 30 which serves as a stop against which a piston within the chamber abuts to limit the motion thereof. In the form shown, this piston includes plates 3| and 32 between which a flexible diaphragm 33 is secured, the diaphragm being formed with a cylindrical skirt 34 to engage the interior of the cylindrical chamber 21' and form an effective seal thereagainst to prevent substance from passing between the piston and the cylinder. Spaced studs 35 are formed on the piston and are adapted. to be received within apertures formed in a plate 36 which is provided with an elongated tube or sleeve 31. The under portion of plate 36 has pivctally mounted thereon levers 38 provided with tabs 39 which are adapted to be engaged by the fingers. Levers 38 are pivotally mounted at 40 and the ends thereof are connected by means of a spring 4| in order that the levers may be urged outwardly against studs 35. In order that the piston may be locked to the plate as, the studs 35 are formed with recesses 42 within which the levers 38 are received thus releasably mounting the piston on the plate.

The feeding mechanism 28 is actuated by means of a lever 43 which is pivoted at 44 upon a stationary part of the machine and driven by a reciprocated link 45, which constitutes for the feeding mechanism a prime mover having a definite range of movement. A slot 46 is formed on the lever 43 and link 45 is adjustably secured in the slot by means of a nut 41. A suitable scale 48 is formed adjacent the slot to facilitate the proper connection of link 45 to the slot to enable a predetermined movement of the feeding mechanism to be effected upon movement of the arm 43. The end of arm 43 is connected to a rack 49 by means of a link 58, the rack being slidably mounted in a frame 5I and engaging a gear 52 which is rotatably mounted upon a threaded shaft 53. Shaft 53 is journaled in a bracket 54 and provided with a, collar 55 to position the same thereon, a collar 59 being provided to properly position gear 52 on the shaft. A ratchet and pawl connection is provided between the gear 52 and shaft 53, this connection including a driving pawl 5I, mounted upon gear 52 and urged against ratchet Wheel 58 which is secured to shaft 53. A pivoted dog 59 prevents backward motion of the ratchet Wheel with respect to the bracket 54 and thus the reciprocation of rack 49 imparts a step by step uni-directional rotation to threaded shaft 53.

Upon sleeve 31, a split nut 68 is formed, this nut engaging the thread of shaft 53 and serving as a clutch between such shaft and sleeve 3?. Arms III on the nut slidably engage a stationary guide rod 62 to prevent the nut from turning with shaft 53. In this fashion, rotation of shaft 53 imparts an axial motion to sleeve 31 and advances the piston through the chamber 21,

As the piston is moved upwardly through the chamber 21 the contents of the chamber are spilled intohopper 26. To insure an even flow of the substance into the hopper a wiper or scraper 29 is provided, Figures 9 and serving to illustrate this construction in detail. The wiper is mounted upon a shaft 63 and is formed with a spiral flange 84 which extends from the central portion of the wiper to the periphery thereof as shown in Figure 9. Shaft 63 is rotated by any suitable mechanism, the speed of rotation thereof being sufficient to impart at least one rotation of the wiper for each fraction of the contents of chamber 21 which is placed in the several receptacles. The wiper 29 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow of Figure 9 in order that the flow of the substance from the chamber 21 to the. hopper 26 may be sufficiently uniform.

With reference to Figures 1, '7, and 8, the filling mechanism will be seen to include telescopically mounted tube portions 55 and 59, tube 95 being mounted upon hopper 26 at the outlet thereof while tube 68 is mounted upon a reciprocating head 61. Head 67 is mounted upon stationary guides 68 and is reciprocated by means of an arm 69 and link III which is pivoted at II upon the head. The spout 24 is mounted in the head below achamber I 2 which receives substance from the metering device 25 and directs the same into spout 24. In the metering device illustrated herein, a cylindrical drum member I3 is provided with segmental pockets 14 which are adapted to receive substance from tube 55 and, upon rotation in a clockwise direction discharge the substance intochamber I2 Upon counterclockwise rotation of the metering device the substance within the measuring chamber is discharged into a chute T5 which carries the substance away to any suitable receptacle.

In order that the substance may be directed into chute 24 only when a receptacle is in proper position to be filled drum I3 is rotatably mounted upon a shaft I5 and has secured thereto a three sided cam disc 11. In each side a notch 18 is formed, a roller I9 bearing upon the periphery of the disc 11 to engage the notches I8, formed 5 therein and hold the drum I3 in such position that one of the chambers thereof lies under the tube 66. Roller I9 is mounted upon an arm 89 which is pivoted upon a bracket 8i and urged against the disc II by means of a spring 32. 10

Upon one end of the drum I3, three pins 83 are mounted, these pins lying between spaced arms 84, upon the ends of which hooks 85 are formed. Arms 84 are mounted upon a carriage 85 which is pivoted on an arm 8I. Carriage 86 may thus rock back and forth and is normally urged into the position shown in Figure 8 by means of a spring 88. In the position shown in Figure 8, upon downward movement of head 5f, the left hand hook member 85 engages the left hand pin 83 and causes the drum to be rotated in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figures 7 and 8. During such operation, the contents of the chambers of the drum I3 is discharged into chamber I2 and directed to the receptacles positioned below the spout 24. If the head 86 is rocked to the left as viewed in Figure 8, the right hand hook 85 engages the corresponding pin 83 and causes the drum I3 to be rocked in a counterclockwise direction upon downward movement of head 67. Such movement causes the contents of the drum to be discharged into the chute 15.

The control of drum I3 and head 88 is effected by means of a link 89 which is pivoted to the head 86 at 98 and at 9| to an arm 92 of a bell crank lever. The bell crank lever is pivoted on an arm 93 and connected to a link 94 which is pivoted to one arm of a bell crank lever 95. Bell crank lever 95 is journaled upon a bracket 96 and the other end I02 thereof extends into the position indicated in Figure 12.

Upon the receptacle supporting table 29, levers 91 are pivoted, as at 98. The number of levers 91 equals the number of pairs of arms 22 and 23 mounted thereon. The arms 23 are rigidly secured to table 28 while arms 22 are pivoted thereon at 99. Arms 22 are adapted to engage arms I89 on the levers 91 to cause extensions Iill thereon to be swung upwardly into the path of the arms I82, formed upon levers 95. 50.

In operation, a receptacle is placed over supporting fingers which are formed upon arms 22 and 23. This receptacle is indicated at I03 in Figure 11. In such position, the receptacle is adapted to be turned inside out by the filler spout 24 as the latter descends during the filling operation. In the event that a receptacle is not properly positioned upon the arms 22 and 23, arm 22 will be urged to the left as viewed in Figures 11 and 12 by means of spring I84 and cause the extension IEI of lever III to be moved into the path of arm I92. As the receptacle supporting table is moved into a filling position and in the event that no receptacle is properly placed upon arms 22 and 23, the actuation of arm I82 by extension IGI will cause link 94 to be lifted and thus throw hook 85 into the path of the adjacent pin 83 and cause the contents of the drum to be emptied into the spout I5. If the receptacles are properly positioned upon the pairs of arms 22 and 23, the left hand hook 85 will always function to empty the contents of the drum I3 into the chamber I2 and thus effect the filling of the receptacles. In order that varying quantities may be emptied into the respective bags, the scale 48 is so calibrated that an indication is given as to what degree of motion of rack 49 is required to divide the contents of chamber 21 into a predetermined number of equal fractional parts. In this manner if only half of the capacity of cylinder 21 is to be-utilized and apportioned between a predetermined number of bags or receptacles the connection 41 is so made that the travel of the piston within cylinder 21 is such that the volume within the chamber 2? tobe apportioned between a predetermined number of bags is evenly fed to the hopper 26 at such rate as to feed equal fractions of the volume to the predetermined number of receptacles. r

It will be seen from the description that the chamber 21 and its connection to the plate 36 affords a means whereby the chamber may be replaced and a properly filled one supplied by moving arms 38 toward each other to disengage the same from notches 62, at which time the cylin der 2'! may be lifted off and a new one secured in position.

While the invention has been described with specific reference to the accompanying drawings, it is not to be limited, save as defined by the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A feeding device comprising a chamber forming member in which a substance is adapted to be received, a piston slidably mounted in the chamber, a piston actuating plate formed with an aperture, means to move the plate axially of the chamber, a stud on the piston adapted to be received in the aperture, and means on the plate to secure the stud removably and positively thereto.

2. A feeding device comprising a chamber forming member in which a substance is adapted to be received, a piston slidably mounted in the chamber, means to mount the member removably, a piston actuating plate formed with spaced apertures, means to move the plate axial- 1y of the chamber, spaced recessed studs on the piston adapted to be received in the apertures, arms pivoted on the plate and adapted to engage the recesses on the studs, and a spring to urge the arms into engagement with the re cesses.

3. A feeding device comprising a chamber forming member in which a substance'is adapted to be received, means in the chamber for discharging the substance from the top thereof, a rotatable plate at the top of the chamber adjacent the point of discharge therefrom, means to journal the plate on an axis parallel to that of the member and means on the plate to effect a substantially even discharge of the substance from the chamber.

4. A feeding device comprising a chamber forming member in which a substance is adapted to be received, means in the chamber for discharging the substance from the top thereof, a rotatable plate at the top of the chamber adjacent the point of discharge therefrom, means to journal the plate eccentrically of the chamber, and a spiral flange on the plate to effect a substantially even discharge of the substance from the chamber.

5. A filling device comprising a receptacle supporting member adapted to receive bag-like receptacles to be filled, means to direct a substance to a receptacle, a chambered member to direct substance to the last named means and to a chute selectively, and means actuated bythe supporting device when a bag is supported thereon to actuate the chambered member to direct substance into the means to direct substance into a receptacle, and into the chute when the supporting device has no receptacle 5 chambered member, andmeans operable upon 15 movement of the first directing means to cause the chambered member to direct its contents into the first directing means.

7. A filling device comprising a receptacle supporting member adapted to receive bag-like 2Q receptacles to be filled, means to direct a substance to a receptacle, means to move the last named means toward and away from the receptacle supporting member, a chambered member to direct substance to the first directing 5 means, means to supply a substance to the chambered member, means operable upon movement of the first directing means to cause the chambered member to direct its contents into the first directing means, and. means actu- 30 ated by the receptacle supporting member to prevent the directing of substance from the chambered member to the first directing means.

8. A filling devicecomprisinga receptacle supporting member adapted to receive bag-like re 5 ceptacles to be filled, means to direct a substance to a receptacle, means to move the last named means toward and away from the receptacle supporting member, a chambered member to direct substance to the first directing means, means to 40 supply a substance to the chambered member, means operable upon movement of the first directing means to cause the chambered member to direct its contents into the first directing means, and means actuated by the receptacle 45 supporting member when a receptacle is not mounted thereon to prevent the directing of substance from the chambered member to the first directing means.

9. A filling device comprising a receptacle sup- 50 porting member adapted to receive bag-like re ceptacles to be filled, means to direct a substance to a receptacle, means to move the last named means toward and away from the receptacle supporting member, a rotatable member having a 55 plurality of chambers journaled on the directing means, means to receive substance from the rotatable member, means actuated by movement of the directing means to turn the rotatable member to discharge the contents thereof into the re 60 ceiving means, means actuated by movement of the directing means to turn the rotatable member to discharge the contents thereof into the directing means, and means torender operative a selected one of the two last named means. 65

10. A filling device comprising a receptacle supporting member adapted to receive bag-like receptacles tobe filled, means to direct a substance to a receptacle, means to move the last named means toward and away from the receptacle sup- 7Q porting member, a rotatable-member having a plurality of chambers journaled on the directing means, means to receive a substance from the rotatable member, means actuated by movement-of the directing means to turn the rotatable mem- 75 .ber to discharge the contents thereof into either the receiving means: or the directing means, and means to actuate the last named means to cause the contents of the rotatable member to be discharged into either the receiving means or the directing means.

11. A filling device comprising a receptacle supporting member adapted to receive bag-like receptacles to be filled, means to direct a substance to a receptable, means to move the last named means toward and away from the receptacle supporting member, a rotatable member having a plurality of chambers journaled on the directing means, means to receive substance from the rotatable member, a plurality of pins on the rotating member, a plate provided with arms adapted to engage selectively the pins, and means to actuate the plate to cause a selected arm to engage one of the pins.

12. A filling device comprising a receptacle supporting member adapted to receive bag-like receptacles to be filled, means to direct a substance to a receptacle, means to move the last named means toward and away from the receptacle supporting member, a rotatable member having a plurality of chambers journaled on the directing means, means to receive substance from the rotatable member, a plurality of pins spaced in different radii extending from the axis of rotation of the member, a plate provided with arms adapted to engage selectively the pins, and means to actuate the plate to cause a selected arm to engage one of the pins.

13. A filling device comprising a receptacle supporting member adapted to receive bag-like receptacles to be filled, means to direct a substance to a receptacle, means to move the last named means toward and away from the receptacle supporting member, a rotatable member having a plurality of chambers journaled on the directing means, means to receive substance from the rotatable member, a plurality of pins spaced in difierent radii extending from the axis of rotation of the member, a plate provided with arms spaced upon opposite sides of the axis of the rotatable member and adapted to engage selectively the pins, and means to actuate the plate to cause a selected arm to engage one of the pins.

14. A filling device comprising a receptacle supporting member adapted to receive bag-like receptacles to be filled, means to direct a substance to a receptacle, means to move the last named means toward and away from the receptacle supporting member, a rotatable member having a plurality of chambers journaled on the directing means, means to receive substance from the rotatable member, a plurality of pins spaced in different radii extending from the axis of rotation of the member, a plate provided with arms spaced upon opposite sides of the axis of the rotatable member and adapted to be formed with hooks to engage selectively the pins, and means to actuate the plate to cause a selected arm to engage one of the pins.

15. A filling device comprising a receptacle supporting member adapted to receive bag-like receptacles to be filled, means to direct a substance to a receptacle, means to'move the last named means toward and away from the receptacle supporting member, a rotatable member having a plurality of chambers journaled on the directing means, means to receive substance from the rotatable member, a plurality of pins spaced in different radii extending from the axis of rotation of the member, a plate provided with arms spaced upon opposite sides of the axis of the rotatable member and adapted to be formed with hooks to engage selectively the pins, and means 5 to rock the plate to move a selected hook into the path of movement of a pin.

16. A filling device comprising a receptacle supporting member adapted to receive bag-like receptacles to be filled, means to direct a substance to a receptacle, means to move the last named means toward and away from the receptacle supporting member, a rotatable member having a plurality of chambers journaled on the directing means, means to receive substance from the ro- 1'5 tatable member, a plurality of pins spaced in different radii extending from the axis of rotation of the member, a plate provided with arms spaced upon opposite sides of the axis of the rotatable member and adapted to be formed with hooks to engage selectively the pins, and means actuated by receptacle supporting means to rock the plate to move a selected hook into the path of movement of the pin.

17. A filling device comprising a receptacle sup porting member adapted to receive bag-like receptacles to be filled, means to direct a substance to a receptacle, means to move the last named means toward and away from the receptacle supporting member, a rotatable member having a pluralitycf chambers journaled on the directing means, means to r ceive a substance from the rotatable member, a plurality of pins spaced in different radii extending from the axis of rotation of the member, a plate provided with arms spaced upon opposite sides of the axis of the rotatable member and adapted to be formed with books to engage selectively the pins, means to urge the plate into a normal position to cause one of the hooks to lie in the path of one of the pins, and means to rock the plate to move the other hood into the path of movement of another of the pins.

18. A filling device comprising a receptacle supporting member adapted to receive bag-like receptacles to be filled, means to direct a substance to a receptacle, means to move the last named means toward and away from the receptacle supporting member, a rotatable member having a plurality of chambers journaled' on the directing means, means to receive substance from the rotatable member, a plurality of pins space-d in dif-, ferent radii extending from the axis of rotation of the member, a plate provided with arms spaced upon opposite sides of the axis of the rotatable member and adapted to be formed with hooks to engage selectively the pins, means to urge the plate into a normal position to cause one of the hooks to lie in the path of one of the pins, and means actuated by the receptacle supporting means to rock the plate to move the other hook into the path of movement of another of the pins.

WALTER M. INGRAM. 

